Post hole digger

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a pair of shaft portions each comprising a handle slidably coupled to a base. Each handle includes a first impact surface and each base includes a second impact surface. The handles are slidable relative to the bases such that the first impact surfaces of the handles impact the second impact surfaces of respective bases. The apparatus also includes a pair of blades each coupled to the base of a respective one of the shaft portions to form respective halves of the apparatus. Further, the apparatus includes a pivot connection that pivotally couples the halves together at a location between the bases and blades of the respective halves such that movement of the handles away from each other moves the blades toward each other, and movement of the handles toward each other moves the blades away from each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/430,479, filed on Mar. 26, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/467,846, filed Mar. 25, 2011,which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

This application is related generally to hand tools, and moreparticularly to manually-operated hand tools, such as post hole diggers.

BACKGROUND

Post hole diggers are tools used to dig holes for fence post, signposts, and other structures that require a narrow hole. The traditionalpost hole digger is formed of two elongated handles connected to diggingblades. A pivoting fastener joins the digging blades and allows a personto operate the blades in a clamshell-like fashion by opening and closingthe handles. A person drives the digging blades into the ground byraising the post hole digger above the spot of the desired hole,repeatedly thrusting the post hole digger into the ground, closing theclamshell-like digging blades, and removing the portion of ground caughtbetween the blades.

However, often times the person finds it difficult to strike the groundin the same spot until the hole is deep enough to guide subsequentthrusts of the post hole digger. Further, repeatedly lifting andthrusting the entire post hole digger is physically demanding andtime-consuming. Therefore, effort and accuracy is wasted when usingconventional post hole diggers to form a post hole.

SUMMARY

The subject matter of the present application has been developed inresponse to the present state of the art, and in particular, in responseto the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solvedby currently available manually-operated tools. Accordingly, the subjectmatter of the present application has been developed to provide variousembodiments of an apparatus, system, and method for digging post holesthat provide one or more advantages over the prior art tools.

According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a pair of shaftportions each comprising a handle slidably coupled to a base. Eachhandle includes a first impact surface and each base includes a secondimpact surface. The handles are slidable relative to the bases such thatthe first impact surfaces of the handles impact the second impactsurfaces of respective bases. The apparatus also includes a pair ofblades each coupled to the base of a respective one of the shaftportions to form respective halves of the apparatus. Further, theapparatus includes a pivot connection that pivotally couples the halvestogether at a location between the bases and blades of the respectivehalves such that movement of the handles away from each other moves theblades toward each other, and movement of the handles toward each othermoves the blades away from each other.

In one implementation, each base defines an interior channel withinwhich a respective handle is slidable. In another implementation, eachhandle defines an interior channel within which a respective base isslidable.

According to some implementations, each base includes a slot and eachhandle includes a pin engageable with the slot of a respective base. Theslot includes a substantially U-shaped portion, J-shaped portion, and/orL-shaped portion in certain implementations. In some implementations,each base further includes an aperture that is separate from the slot.The pin of each handle can be engageable with the aperture of arespective base. The pin of each handle can be retractable to switchbetween engagement with the slot and aperture of a respective base.

In certain implementations, each handle includes a weight that isproximate the first impact surface. Each blade of the apparatus can be apost hole digger blade.

According to another embodiment, a post hole digger includes a firsthalf and second half. The first half includes a first elongate handlethat is slidably coupled to a first elongate base. The first elongatehandle is slidable in a downward direction relative to the firstelongate base to impact a first portion of the first elongate base andimpart a downwardly directed force to the first elongate base. The firsthalf further includes a first curved blade fixedly coupled to the firstelongate base. The second half includes a second elongate handle that isslidably coupled to a second elongate base. The second elongate handleis slidable in a downward direction relative to the second elongate baseto impact a second portion of the second elongate base and impart adownwardly directed force to the second elongate base. The second halffurther includes a second curved blade that is fixedly coupled to thesecond elongate base.

a pivot connection pivotally coupling the first and second halvestogether, wherein movement of the first and second elongate handles awayfrom each other corresponds with movement of the first and second bladestoward each other, and movement of the first and second elongate handlestoward each other corresponds with movement of the first and secondblades away from each other.

In some implementations of the post hole digger, the first elongatehandle is independently movable relative to the second elongate handle.

According to some implementations of the post hole digger, the first andsecond elongate bases each comprises a cylindrical hollow tube, and thefirst and second handles each comprises a cylindrical tube insertableinto and slidably movable within the first cylindrical hollow tube ofthe respective one of the first and second elongate bases. The first andsecond elongate bases can each include a longitudinally extending slot.The first and second handles can each include a pin that is extendablethrough the longitudinally extending slot of the respective one of thefirst and second bases. Engagement between the pins and longitudinallyextending slots can prevent rotational movement between the first andsecond handles and the first and second bases, respectively.

In certain implementations, the first and second elongate bases eachincludes a laterally extending slot that is contiguous with thelongitudinally extending slot. The pin can be extendable through thelaterally extending slot of the respective one of the first and secondbases. Engagement between the pins and laterally extending slots allowsrotational movement between the first and second handles and the firstand second bases, respectively. The longitudinally extending slot may bea long longitudinally extending slot. Further, the first and secondelongate bases each includes a short longitudinally extending slot thatis coupled to the long longitudinally extending slot via the laterallyextending slot. The pin is extendable through the short longitudinallyextending slot of the respective one of the first and second bases.Engagement between the pins and short longitudinally extending slotsprevents rotational movement between the first and second handles andthe first and second bases, respectively. The first and second handlescan be actuatable relative to the respective first and second bases toseamlessly transition the position of the pins between the longlongitudinally extending slots, laterally extending slots, and shortlongitudinally extending slots.

According to some implementations, the first and second elongate baseseach comprises an aperture adjacent the longitudinally extending slot.The pin can be retractable to disengage from the longitudinallyextending slot and extendable to extend through the aperture of therespective one of the first and second bases. Engagement between thepins and apertures prevents slidable and rotational movement between thefirst and second handles and the first and second bases, respectively.

In one implementation, the first and second portions of the first andsecond elongate bases include respective striking plates adjacent thepivot connection. The first and second elongate handles each include aweight that is impactable with the striking plate of a respective one ofthe first and second elongate bases.

According to yet another embodiment, a method for forming a post hole inthe ground includes positioning a post hole digger over a postinstallation site on the ground. The post hole digger includes a pair ofshaft portions each including a handle that is slidably coupled to abase. The post hole digger further includes a pair of blades eachcoupled to the base of a respective one of the shaft portions. Themethod also includes independently sliding the handles along the basesfrom a raised position downwardly toward the ground into a loweredposition to impact an impact plate of the post hole digger in forcetransmitting communication with the blades to drive the blades into theground. Also, the method includes independently sliding the handlesalong the bases upwardly from the lowered position into the raisedposition.

The method additionally includes repeating as necessary the actions ofsliding the handles along the bases from the raised position downwardlytoward the ground into the lowered position and sliding the handlesalong the bases upwardly from the lowered position into the raisedposition until the blades are driven into the ground to a desired depth.With the blades at the desired depth in the ground, the method includesmoving the shaft portions apart to bring the blades together about aportion of ground between the blades. Further, with the blades at thedesired depth in the ground, the method includes rotating the handlesrelative to the respective bases to temporarily lock the handles inplace relative to the bases. With the handles temporarily locked inplace, the method includes raising the post hole digger with the shaftportions moved apart and the portion of ground between the blades.Additionally, the method includes moving the shaft portions together torelease the portion of ground between the blades at a location away fromthe post installation site.

In some implementations of the method, independently sliding the handlesalong the bases from the raised position downwardly toward the groundinto the lowered position and independently sliding the handles alongthe bases upwardly from the lowered position into the raised positionincludes guiding respective pins of the handles along respectivealignment slots formed in the bases. Further, rotating the handlesrelative to the respective bases to temporarily lock the handles inplace may include guiding the respective pins of the handles alongrespective U-shaped portions of the alignment slots.

According to certain implementations, the method includes retracting thepins out of the alignment slots, rotating the handles relative to thebases, and extending the pins into engagement with respective aperturesformed in the bases to more permanently lock the handles in place.

In another embodiment, a hand tool includes a base that has a firstimpact surface and a slot. The slot has a substantially U-shaped portionand/or L-shaped portion. The hand tool also includes a handle that isslidably coupled to the base. The handle includes a second impactsurface and is slidable relative to the base such that the second impactsurface of the handle impacts the first impact surface of the base. Thehandle also includes a pin that is engageable with the slot of the base,where the pin is movably retained by the slot as the handle slidesrelative to the base. The hand tool also includes a tool attachmentcoupled to the base.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, orsimilar language does not imply that all of the features and advantagesthat may be realized with the subject matter of the present disclosureshould be or are in any single embodiment or implementation of thesubject matter. Rather, language referring to the features andadvantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, orcharacteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included inat least one embodiment of the subject matter of the present disclosure.Discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language,throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to thesame embodiment or implementation.

The described features, structures, advantages, and/or characteristicsof the subject matter of the present disclosure may be combined in anysuitable manner in one or more embodiments and/or implementations. Inthe following description, numerous specific details are provided toimpart a thorough understanding of embodiments of the subject matter ofthe present disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognizethat the subject matter of the present disclosure may be practicedwithout one or more of the specific features, details, components,materials, and/or methods of a particular embodiment or implementation.In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognizedin certain embodiments and/or implementations that may not be present inall embodiments or implementations. Further, in some instances,well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown ordescribed in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the subject matter ofthe present disclosure. The features and advantages of the subjectmatter of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent fromthe following description and appended claims, or may be learned by thepractice of the subject matter as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the subject matter may be more readilyunderstood, a more particular description of the subject matter brieflydescribed above will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsthat are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the subject matter and arenot therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the subjectmatter will be described and explained with additional specificity anddetail through the use of the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a post hole digger in an open configurationaccording to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a post hole digger in a closedconfiguration according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3A is a front view of a post hole digger being used in a post holeforming operation according to one embodiment with the digger in an openconfiguration and handles raised;

FIG. 3B is a front view of a post hole digger being used in a post holeforming operation according to one embodiment with the digger in an openconfiguration and handles lowered;

FIG. 3C is a front view of a post hole digger being used in a post holeforming operation according to one embodiment with the digger in aclosed configuration and handles lowered and temporarily locked inplace;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a shaft portion of a post holedigger according to another embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a post hole digger according toyet another embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a shaft portion of a post holedigger according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter of thepresent disclosure. Appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “inan embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may,but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. Similarly, theuse of the term “implementation” means an implementation having aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith one or more embodiments of the subject matter of the presentdisclosure, however, absent an express correlation to indicateotherwise, an implementation may be associated with one or moreembodiments.

FIG. 1 is a side view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a post holedigger 100 in an open configuration (e.g., with the blades 102 open).The post hole digger 100 includes a pair blades 102 coupled to arespective one of a pair of shaft portions 121 via a pivot connection103. Each blade 102 and respective shaft portion 121 collectivelydefines one of a first and second portion or half 106, 108 of the posthole digger 100. The first and second portions 106, 108 of the digger100 are pivotally connected to each other by the pivot connection 103.Generally, the pivot connection 103 facilitates movement of the blades102 apart from each other (e.g., open) as the shaft portions 121 aremoved toward each other, and movement of the blades toward each other(e.g. close) as the shaft portions are moved away from each other. Aswill be described in more detail below, once the driven to a desireddepth in the ground, the closing and opening of the blades 102 captureand remove portions of soil for forming post holes in the ground.

To facilitate driving of the blades 102 into the ground, the shaftportions 121 of each half 106, 108 include a base 104 and a handle 116movably (e.g., slidably) coupled with the base. The description willproceed with reference to one shaft portion 121, but it is to beunderstood that the features of the shaft portion described herein areequally applicable to the other shaft portion of the digger 100. In theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 104 is a generallyhollow cylindrically-shaped tube defining an interior channel 105. Theinterior channel 105 is sized and shaped to retain the handle 104 insubstantial axial alignment with the base 104, but allow the handle tobe moved translationally and rotationally within the channel.Accordingly, the interior dimensions of the base 104 defining thechannel 105 should be just larger than the exterior dimensions of thehandle 104. As illustrated, the interior channel 105 is substantiallycylindrically shaped with a circular cross-section, and the handle 104is also substantially cylindrically shaped with a circular cross-sectionjust smaller than that of the interior channel. The handle 104 can behollow or solid.

The base 104 and handle 116 are elongate with each having a lengthsignificantly greater than a width or diameter. The respective lengthsof the base 104 and handle 116 can be selected to achieve a desiredoverall length of the shaft portion 121 in different configurations ofthe shaft portion. For example, in a retracted configuration (i.e., whenthe handle 116 is fully retracted into the base 104 (see, e.g., FIG.1)), the lengths of the base 104 and handle 116 are selected such thatthe overall length of the shaft portion 121, which in the retractedconfiguration is a minimum length of the shaft portion, is a desiredlength. Similarly, in an extended configuration (i.e., when the handle116 is fully extended from the base 104 (see, e.g., FIG. 3A), thelengths of the base 104 and handle 116 are selected such that theoverall length of the shaft portion 121, which in the extendedconfiguration is a maximum length of the shaft portion, is a desiredlength. The desired minimum and maximum overall lengths should beselected to be conducive to use by a probable user of the digger 100. Inone implementation, the overall length of the shaft portion 121 isextendable from a minimum length of about 40 inches to a maximum lengthof about 70 inches.

Additionally, the overall lengths of the shaft portion 121 (particularlythe maximum length) are dependent upon the configuration of an alignmentslot 130 formed in the base 104. Generally, the alignment slot 130engages a pin 134 of the handle 116. The slot 130 is wide enough toaccept the pin 134 therethrough, but narrow enough to preventsubstantial movement of the pin across a width of the slot. An upper endof the slot 130 effectively acts as a stop for restricting furthertranslational movement or extension of the pin 134, and thus the handle116, relative to the base 104. The upper end of the slot 130 can also beused as an impact receiver to transfer upwardly directed forces from thehandle (e.g., pin of the handle) to the blades via the base. Suchfunctionality allows a user to upwardly drive the movable handles intothe base to dislodge or remove blades lodged or otherwise stuck in theground.

The slot 130 includes three sections 131, 133, 135 collectively defininga substantially J-shaped or U-shaped slot. The first section 131 is along longitudinally extending section of the slot 130. The longlongitudinally extending section 131 extends substantially parallel to acentral axis of the base 104 from an upper end 170 to a lower end 172.Generally, the first section 131 of the slot 130 engages the pin 134 andkeeps the pin, and thus the handle 116, in a single rotationalorientation (i.e., prevents rotation of the handle relative to the base)as the handle moves translationally within the base as indicated bydirectional arrows 150. The upper end 170 is spaced apart from an upperend 180 of the base 104 and defines a maximum limit of the range ofmotion of the handle 116 relative to the base as discussed above. Thelower end 172 is similarly spaced apart from a lower end 182 of the base104. However, the lower end 172 does not define the minimum limit of therange of motion of the handle 116. Rather, the minimum limit of therange of motion of the handle 116 is defined by a striking surface orplate 142 at the approximate lower end 182 of the base 104. The positionor offset of the lower end 172 of the slot 130 relative to the lower end182 of the base 104 is selected such that when the handle 116 is incontact with the striking plate 142, the pin 134 of the handle ispositioned at the lower end 172 of the slot in lateral alignment withthe second laterally extending section 133 of the slot as shown in FIG.2.

The second laterally extending section 133 of the slot 130 extendspartially across a circumference of the base 104. The third section 135is a short longitudinally extending section that extends substantiallyparallel to the central axis of the base 104 like the longlongitudinally extending section 131. However, the short section 135 ofthe slot 130 extends upward from the second section 133 of the slot asubstantially shorter distance than the third section 131. Generally,the second and third sections 133, 135 of the slot 130 facilitate atemporary locking of the handle 116 relative to the base 104. However,in some implementations, the slot 130 only includes the first and secondsections 131, 133 to collectively define a substantially L-shaped slot.In such implementations, only the second section 133 facilitates thetemporary locking of the handle 116.

With the handle 116 in contact with, or close to contacting, thestriking plate 142, the handle 116 can be rotated in a counterclockwisedirection as indicated by directional arrows 152 in FIG. 2 to move thepin 134 along the second section 133 of the slot 130. For L-shapedslots, with the pin 134 engaged with the second section 133, the secondsection prevents longitudinal movement of the handle relative to thebase, and thus provides a type of temporary locking of the handlerelative to the base. In contrast, for U-shaped or J-shaped slots, aftermoving the pin 134 along the second section 133, the pin in longitudinalalignment with the third section 135 of the slot. In this position, thehandle 116 can be partially extended (e.g., moved upwardly as indicatedby directional arrows 150) to move the pin 134 upward along the thirdsection until an upper end 174 of the third section prevents furtherupwardly translational movement of the handle relative to the base 104.In such a position, the handle 116 is placed in a temporarily lockedposition in preparation of lifting the digger 100 to remove soilcaptured by the blades 102 as will be explained later in more detail.

Of course, the handle 116 can be taken out of the temporarily lockedposition by lowering the handle and pin 134, and rotating the handle andpin in a clockwise direction as indicated by directional arrows 152until the pin is in vertical or longitudinal alignment with the firstsection 131 of the slot 130. The direction of rotation need notnecessarily be counterclockwise to lock the handle and clockwise tounlock the handle. For example, the directions could be reversed if thesecond and third sections of the slot 130 extended away from the firstsection in a direction opposite the direction shown, or if the user waspositioned on an opposite side of the digger 100 during use. It is alsonoted that the direction of rotation of a handle to lock and unlock thehandle may be different (e.g., opposite) for each of the two handles(e.g., right and left handles). For example, while one handle (e.g., aright handle) is rotated counterclockwise to lock the handle, the otherhandle (e.g., left handle) is rotated clockwise to lock the handle.Alternatively, the slots of the respective right and left handles may beconfigured differently, such that both the right and left handles arerotated in the same direction to lock and unlock the handles.

Generally, the pin is coupled to a main shaft portion 120 of the handle116 and extends radially outwardly from the main shaft portion 120 toengage the slot 130. In some embodiments, the pin 134 is retractableinto the main shaft portion 120. The pin 134 can be coupled to a biasingelement (e.g., a spring) that biases the pin in the extended position.The pin 134 is then retracted into the main shaft portion 120 byovercoming the bias of the biasing element (e.g., pushing the pin intothe main shaft portion). From the retracted position, once the pin 134is released, the bias of the biasing element forces the pin radiallyoutwardly into the extended position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the base 104 includes an aperture 136formed in the base. The aperture 136 is sized and shaped to receive andretain the pin 134 therein. Preferably, the aperture 136 is sized andshaped to matingly engage the pin 134 such that the pin 134, and thusthe handle 116, is substantially prevented from translational androtational movement relative to the base 104. In the illustratedimplementation, the aperture 136 can be positioned adjacent thetransversely extending section 133 of the slot 130 proximate the lowerend 182 of the base 104. From a position engaged with the slot 130, thepin 134 can be depressed or retracted and the handle 116 can be rotatedin the clockwise direction as indicated by directional arrows 152 untilthe pin is aligned with the aperture 136. Once aligned, the bias of thepin 134 forces the pin 134 outwardly through the aperture 136 to engagethe aperture 136 and place the handle 116 in a more permanent lockedposition, such as when transportation or storage of the digger 100 isdesired.

Although in the illustrated embodiments, the digger 100 includes twohalves pivotally coupled to each other by a pivot connection, in otherembodiments, the tool described herein may only include a single half.For example, the tool can be a manual jack-hammer tool with a singlehandle, base, and blade. The handle can be slidably coupled to the baseas described above. Moreover, movement of the handle along the base canbe guided through engagement between a pin and alignment slot asdescribed above and temporary and/or more permanent locking of thehandle relative to the base for lifting/storing the entire tool can befacilitated by the pin and slot engagement as also described above. Theblade can be any of various blades or tool attachments, such as ashovel, a spade, an edger, a hoe, a pitchfork, a plow, and the like.

As shown in a cut-away of the base 104 in FIG. 2, a lower section of themain shaft portion 120 of the handle 116 can include a weight 140. Theweight 140 can be positioned at any longitudinal location along thehandle 116. However, in certain implementations, the weight 140 ispreferably located at or proximate a lower end 119 of the handle, whichdefines a striking surface of the handle. Accordingly, the strikingsurface or lower end 119 of the handle 116 can be defined by the weight140. Generally, the end or striking surface 119 is substantially flatand the striking surface or plate 142 of the base 104 also issubstantially flat to uniformly distribute the striking force from thehandle 116 to the base 104 across a large area. In some implementations,the weight 140 is a solid portion of an otherwise hollow main shaftportion 120. In other implementations having a solid main shaft portion120, the weight 140 is made from a material heavier or denser than theremainder of the main shaft portion. The weight 140 can be formedtogether (e.g., integrally or monolithically) with the main shaftportion 120 or the weight can be an insert positioned within a hollowmain shaft portion.

The handle 116 also includes a grip portion 118 proximate an upper end123 of the handle. The grip portion 118 may include a friction-enhancingand/or padded sleeve enveloping an upper end of the main shaft portion120. In other implementations, the grip portion 118 may include agrip-enhancing coating applied to the upper end of the main shaftportion. The grip portion 118 is configured to accommodate the grip of auser for operation of the digger 100. As shown, the main shaft portion120 can extend continuously from the lower end 119 up to the upper end123 of the handle 116. Alternatively, the main shaft portion 120 mayterminate at the grip portion 118, with the grip portion attached to theshaft portion.

In one embodiment, both the base 104 and handle 116 are formed of metalor metal alloy materials. For example, the base 104 and handle 116 maybe formed of an aluminum alloy. Alternatively, the base 104 and sleeve116 may be formed of composite materials. In a further embodiment, thehandle 116, or at least the weight 140 of the handle, may be formed of aheavier material so that the driving force applied to the blades isgreater. One example of a heavier material includes, but is not limitedto, iron.

The pivot connection 103 includes a pivot fastener 110 that pivotallycouples together corresponding brackets 111. The brackets 111 eachinclude opposing apertures through which the pivot fastener 110 extendsto pivotally couple the brackets and allow the brackets to pivot aboutthe fastener. In the illustrated embodiments, the brackets 111 eachinclude opposing plates 117 in which the apertures are formed. Theplates 117 are secured to respective base receivers 115 configured toreceive and secure the bases 104. Distal portions of the plates 117 aredesigned (e.g., angled) to contact each other when the digger 100 ispositioned into the open and closed configurations, respectively.Accordingly, the plates 117 act as stops to prevent actuation of thehandles beyond the open and closed configurations. In this manner, thehandles 116 are prevented from contacting each other in the openconfiguration, which also prevents pinching hazards during use. Theplates can be secured to the receivers 115 via any of varioustechniques, such as fastening and welding. Similarly, the bases 104 canbe secured to the receivers 115 via any of various techniques, such asfastening and welding.

The blades 102 each have a relatively sharp or pointed distal end (e.g.,leading edge) for penetrating the ground. The distal end may besubstantially rounded. Each blade may be curved or cupped to form asubstantially semi-circular-shaped cross-section. Accordingly, when theblades 102 are relatively close together in the closed configuration,the blades define a substantially cylindrically-shaped space forcapturing soil. When the blades are apart, the blades define asubstantially oblong cylindrically-shaped space. In one implementation,the blades 102 are movable between the open and closed configurations ina clamshell-like movement. The pivot connection 103 and blades 102 canbe made from any of various materials, such as metals, metal alloys,composites, hard plastics, and the like. In one implementation, theblades 102 are formed separately from and attached (e.g., via welding orfastening) to respective halves of the pivot connection 103. In anotherimplementation, the blades 102 are formed integrally as one-piecemonolithic construction with the respective halves of the pivotconnection 103.

In some embodiments, the pivot connection 103 may facilitate removablycoupling of the blades such that the blades can be interchangeable withthe same type of blades (e.g., to replace worn out blades) or othertypes of blades (e.g., to accommodate different applications).Additionally, in certain embodiments, the pivot fastener of the pivotconnection 110 may be easily removable to disengage one half of thepivot connection with the other half. In this manner, a user can easilyconvert between the digger 100 with dual handles and pivoting blades toa tool with a single handle and a single blade (or other toolattachment) as discussed above.

The post hole digger 100 is used for digging relatively narrow holes forinstalling posts, such as fence posts, sign posts, and the like.Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, a method for digging post holes using thedigger 100 is pictorially illustrated. Initially, as shown in FIG. 3A,the digger 100 is placed onto the ground 152 over an installation sitewhile in an open configuration. In the open configuration, the bases 104and handles 116 of the digger 100 are positioned relatively close toeach other, which corresponds to the blades 102 being relatively farapart from each other. With a user 195 grasping the grip portions 118 ofthe handles 116 with respective hands, the handles are raised relativeto the bases 104 and blades 102 by the user as indicated by directionarrows 162 into a raised position as depicted in FIG. 3A. Because thehandles 116 are not directly coupled to each other, the raising of eachhandle 116 is performed independently of the other handle 116. Further,due to the engagement of the pins of the handles 116 with the longlongitudinal sections of the slots 130 as the handles are raised, thehandles 116 do not rotate as they are raised.

From the raised position, and with the digger 100 remaining in the openconfiguration, the user 195 grasping the grip portions 118 as discussedabove, the user forcefully drives the handles 116 downwardly asindicated by directional arrows 164 until the lower end of the handles(e.g., striking surfaces of the handles) impact the lower ends of thebases (e.g., striking surfaces of the bases) to position the handles ina lowered position. The downwardly directed momentum of the handles 116generated by the user 195 is transferred to the blades 102 via the pivotconnection 103 by virtue of the impact between the handles and bases. Insome implementations, because the blades 102 are formed integrally as aone-piece monolithic construction with the pivot connection 103, theimpact force is transferred directly from the handles 116 to the blades.The downwardly directed impact force drives the blades 102 a certaindepth into the ground at the installation site. The depth is dependentupon several factors, such as, for example, the force generated by theuser, the conditions of the soil, the sharpness of the blades, etc.

In operation, the post hole digger 100 drives the blades 102 into theground to a desired depth associated with the depth of the post hole.Often, a single impact from the handles 116, although enough to drivethe blades 102 deeper into the ground, is not enough to achieve thedesired depth. Accordingly, the operations of raising the handles 116into the raised position discussed above in relation to FIG. 3A, anddownwardly driving the handles into contact with the bases and into thelowered position, are repeated as necessary to incrementally drive theblades to the desired depth in the ground.

When the desired depth is reached, the handles 116 and bases 104 aremoved apart from each other as indicated by directional arrows 166 toplace the digger 100 in a closed position by the user grasping andpulling apart the grip portions 118 as shown in FIG. 3C. In the closedconfiguration, the bases 104 and handles 116 are positioned apart fromeach other, which corresponds to the blades 102 being positionedrelatively close to each other. More specifically, as the handles 116are pulled apart, the blades 102 are drawn together to capture (e.g.,compress and retain) a portion of the soil therebetween. Before or afteractuating the digger 100 (e.g., blades 102) into the closedconfiguration, with the handles 116 in the lowered position, the handles116 are rotated as indicated by directional arrows 168 and slightlylifted as indicated by directional arrows 173 to move the pins 134 alongthe slots 130 into the temporarily locking position as discussed above.When temporarily locked, the handles 116 are prevented from being raisedor lifted relative to the bases 104. After capturing the portion of soilby actuating the digger 100 into the closed position, and with thehandles 116 temporarily locked (or alternatively partially permanentlylocked as discussed above), the entire digger is lifted by the user asindicated by directional arrow 169 while maintaining the digger in theclosed position. Once the digger 100 is cleared of the post hole justformed in the ground by virtue of the removal of the portion of soilwithin the blades 102, the digger 100 can be moved away from the holeand actuated into the open position to release the soil captured by theblades. The method associated with FIGS. 3A-3C can be repeated to form aplurality of post holes in the ground 152 as desired.

With conventional post hole diggers, a user would be required torepeatedly lift the entire digger up and drive the blades of the diggerinto the ground. Because the blades would be lifted off of the groundand driven back into contact with the ground, due to inconsistenciesassociated with manually operation, the blades likely would not contactthe same location twice, which lead to imprecise post holes andinaccurate locations within the ground. In direct contrast toconventional post hole diggers, the digger 100 forms the post holeswithout the blades losing contact with the ground. Accordingly, the postholes formed by the digger 100 are more precise and accuratelypositioned compared to holes formed by conventional diggers. Moreover,because the handles 116 weigh less than the entire digger 100, theenergy exerted by a user to form a post hole is less than withconventional diggers that require the user to lift the entire digger toform the holes. In this manner, post holes are formed more efficientlywith the post hole digger 100 than with conventional diggers.

Although in the above-described embodiments, the shaft portions 121 eachinclude a handle that is insertable into and movable within a base, inother embodiments, the shaft portions may be reversed such that the baseis insertable into and movable within the handle. For example, as shownin FIGS. 4-6, the shaft portion 221 includes a sliding handle 216 thatslides over a base 204, and is longitudinally or translationally movablealong the base between raised and lowered positions as indicated bydirectional arrows 320. In other words, the handle 216 includes aninterior channel within which the base 204 is slidable. The handle 216includes a guide pin 220 which passes through a guide slot 202 formed inthe base 204. Engagement between the guide pin 220 and slot 202 preventsrelative rotation between the handle and base. However, to facilitate atemporary locking of the handle relative to the base, the slot 202 mayinclude a substantially J-shaped section 212.

The handle 216 also includes a weight 240 proximate an upper end of thehandle (e.g., adjacent a grip portion 218 of the handle). The weight 240includes a striking surface 223 that impacts an upper end 210 of thebase 204 as the handle 216 is driven downwardly relative to the base.The impact between the weight 240 and upper end 210 of the base 204indirectly transfers the momentum from the downwardly moving handle 216to blades via the base.

In other embodiments with a pin and slot configuration, the guide pinlocks the longitudinal movement of the handle in any position betweenthe raised and lowered positions. For example, the guide pin may beimplemented as a screw that, when twisted, causes the handle to compressaround the base and thereby impede longitudinal movement of the handlerelative to the base.

In alternative embodiments of the post hole digger described herein, thepin and slot configuration for preventing rotational movement betweenthe handle and base may be replaced with a spline and correspondingchannel. In an alternative embodiment, each handle and base may have apolygonal, or other non-round, cross-section for maintaining therotational position of the handle with reference to the base. In yetsome embodiments, rotational movement between the handle and base ispermitted as the handle is moved longitudinally relative to the base. Insuch embodiments, configurations other than a retractable pin andslot/aperture for temporarily or more permanently locking the handlerelative to the base for removing soil or for storage, respectively, maybe used.

According to another embodiment incorporating some features from theshaft portion 221 of FIG. 4, the post hole digger 300 of FIG. 5 includesstrike plates 302 that are external to the base 304 to receive impactsfrom the handle 316. In other words, instead of impacting an upper endof the base with a striking surface of an internal weight as with theshaft portion 221, the post hole digger 300 impacts the striking plate302 with a bottom end of the handle 316. The strike plates 302 receivethe striking force from the handles 116 and transfer the force to theblades of the digger 300. The use of strike plates 302 in this mannerbeneficially spreads the striking force across a greater surface areaand reduces deformation that may occur to the guide pin, guide slot, orupper end of the base 304. The strike plate 302 may integrally formedwith the base 302, or may be attached to the exterior of the base.

In the depicted embodiment, the strike plates 302 are positioned nearthe top of the bases 304. However, in an alternative embodiment, thestrike plates 302 may be positioned near the bottom of the bases 304.Handles 316 having a length sufficient to extend the entire length ofthe base 304 may be utilized to deliver the impact strike to the strikeplates 302 positioned near the blades. As described previously, thisbeneficially transfers the impact strike directly to the blades. In suchembodiments, weights may be secured to the external surface of thehandles 316 near the lower end of the handles, and a portion of theweights may actually impact the strike plates if desired.

According to one embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a post hole digger 400includes bump stops 410 to prevent a user from pinching their handswhile using the digger. The bump stops 410 may be formed of a flexible,elastomeric, and/or rubber material. The bump stops 410 may bepositioned, as depicted, on strike plates 402. Alternatively, the bumpstops 410 may be positioned at the top of, or anywhere on, the handles416 in one implementation and/or on the bases 404 in otherimplementations. Further, the use of bump stops 410 is not limited toembodiments having external strike plates, such as strike plates 302,but bump stops can be used on any of the various post hole diggerembodiments described herein to prevent pinching during use.

In the above description, certain terms may be used such as “up,”“down,” “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “left,” “right,” andthe like. These terms are used, where applicable, to provide someclarity of description when dealing with relative relationships. But,these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions,and/or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, an “upper”surface can become a “lower” surface simply by turning the object over.Nevertheless, it is still the same object.

The subject matter of the present disclosure may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from its spirit or essentialcharacteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in allrespects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of thesubject matter of the present disclosure is, therefore, indicated by theappended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changeswhich come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims areto be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a pair of shaftportions each comprising a handle slidably coupled to a base, each shaftportion being slidable between an extended position with the handle awayfrom the base and a retracted position with the handle proximate thebase, each handle comprising a first impact surface and each basecomprising a second impact surface, wherein the handles are slidablerelative to the bases such that the first impact surfaces of the handlesimpact the second impact surfaces of respective bases; lockingmechanisms each configured to temporarily lock a respective one of shaftportions in the retracted position; a pair of blades each coupled to thebase of a respective one of the shaft portions to form respective halvesof the apparatus; and a pivot connection pivotally coupling the halvestogether at a location between the bases and blades of the respectivehalves such that movement of the handles away from each other moves theblades toward each other, and movement of the handles toward each othermoves the blades away from each other.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein each base defines an interior channel within which a respectivehandle is slidable.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each handledefines an interior channel within which a respective base is slidable.4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each base comprises a slot and eachhandle comprises a pin engageable with the slot of a respective base. 5.The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the slot comprises at least one of asubstantially U-shaped portion, substantially J-shaped portion, andsubstantially L-shaped portion.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4, whereineach base further comprises an aperture separate from the slot, the pinof each handle being engageable with the aperture of a respective base.7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the pin of each handle isretractable to switch between engagement with the slot and aperture of arespective base.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each handlecomprises a weight proximate the first impact surface.
 9. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein each blade comprises a post hole digger blade.
 10. Apost hole digger, comprising: a first half comprising a first elongatehandle slidably coupled to a first elongate base, the first elongatehandle being slidable in a downward direction relative to the firstelongate base to impact a first portion of the first elongate base andimpart a downwardly directed force to the first elongate base, the firsthalf further comprising a first curved blade fixedly coupled to thefirst elongate base; a second half comprising a second elongate handleslidably coupled to a second elongate base, the second elongate handlebeing slidable in a downward direction relative to the second elongatebase to impact a second portion of the second elongate base and impart adownwardly directed force to the second elongate base, the second halffurther comprising a second curved blade fixedly coupled to the secondelongate base; and a pivot connection pivotally coupling the first andsecond halves together, wherein movement of the first and secondelongate handles away from each other corresponds with movement of thefirst and second blades toward each other, and movement of the first andsecond elongate handles toward each other corresponds with movement ofthe first and second blades away from each other.
 11. The post holedigger of claim 10, wherein first elongate handle is independentlymovable relative to the second elongate handle.
 12. The post hole diggerof claim 10, wherein the first and second elongate bases each comprisesa cylindrical hollow tube and the first and second handles eachcomprises a cylindrical tube insertable into and slidably movable withinthe first cylindrical hollow tube of the respective one of the first andsecond elongate bases.
 13. The post hole digger of claim 12, wherein thefirst and second elongate bases each comprises a longitudinallyextending slot, and the first and second handles each comprises a pinextendable through the longitudinally extending slot of the respectiveone of the first and second bases, wherein engagement between the pinsand longitudinally extending slots prevents rotational movement betweenthe first and second handles and the first and second bases,respectively.
 14. The post hole digger of claim 13, wherein: the firstand second elongate bases each comprises a laterally extending slotcontiguous with the longitudinally extending slot, the pin beingextendable through the laterally extending slot of the respective one ofthe first and second bases, wherein engagement between the pins andlaterally extending slots allows rotational movement between the firstand second handles and the first and second bases, respectively; and thelongitudinally extending slot comprises a long longitudinally extendingslot, and wherein the first and second elongate bases each comprises ashort longitudinally extending slot, the short longitudinally extendingslot being coupled to the long longitudinally extending slot via thelaterally extending slot, wherein the pin is extendable through theshort longitudinally extending slot of the respective one of the firstand second bases, and wherein engagement between the pins and shortlongitudinally extending slots prevents rotational movement between thefirst and second handles and the first and second bases, respectively.15. The post hole digger of claim 14, wherein the first and secondhandles are actuatable relative to the respective first and second basesto seamlessly transition the position of the pins between the longlongitudinally extending slots, laterally extending slots, and shortlongitudinally extending slots.
 16. The post hole digger of claim 13,wherein the first and second elongate bases each comprises an apertureadjacent the longitudinally extending slot, the pin being retractable todisengage from the longitudinally extending slot and extendable toextend through the aperture of the respective one of the first andsecond bases, wherein engagement between the pins and apertures preventsslidable and rotational movement between the first and second handlesand the first and second bases, respectively.
 17. The post hole diggerof claim 10, wherein the first and second portions of the first andsecond elongate bases comprise respective striking plates adjacent thepivot connection, and wherein the first and second elongate handles eachcomprises a weight impactable with the striking plate of a respectiveone of the first and second elongate bases.
 18. A method for forming apost hole in the ground, comprising: positioning a post hole digger overa post installation site on the ground, the post hole digger comprisinga pair of shaft portions each comprising a handle slidably coupled to abase, wherein the post hole digger further comprises a pair of bladeseach coupled to the base of a respective one of the shaft portions;independently sliding the handles along the bases from a raised positiondownwardly toward the ground into a lowered position to impact an impactplate of the post hole digger in force transmitting communication withthe blades to drive the blades into the ground; independently slidingthe handles along the bases upwardly from the lowered position into theraised position; and temporarily locking each handle in place relativeto a respective base, wherein temporarily locking each handle in placerelative to the respective base consists of independently rotating eachhandle relative to the respective base and independently lifting eachhandle relative to the respective base.
 19. The method of claim 18,wherein: independently sliding the handles along the bases from theraised position downwardly toward the ground into the lowered positionand independently sliding the handles along the bases upwardly from thelowered position into the raised position comprises guiding respectivepins of the handles along respective alignment slots formed in thebases; and rotating the handles relative to the respective bases totemporarily lock the handles in place comprises guiding the respectivepins of the handles along respective U-shaped portions of the alignmentslots.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising retracting thepins out of the alignment slots, rotating the handles relative to thebases, and extending the pins into engagement with respective aperturesformed in the bases to more permanently lock the handles in place.
 21. Ahand tool, comprising: a base comprising a first impact surface and aslot, the slot comprising two parallel tracks coupled together by anintermediate track extending substantially perpendicular to the twoparallel tracks; a handle slidably coupled to the base, the handlecomprising a second impact surface, the handle being slidable relativeto the base such that the second impact surface of the handle impactsthe first impact surface of the base, wherein the handle furthercomprises a pin engageable with the slot of the base, the pin beingmovably retained by the slot as the handle slides relative to the base;and a tool attachment coupled to the base.